A fun weekend!

Happy heart day from the Kirschs!

Drake loves his swing, and will sleep in there for hours on end.
Happy Valentines day!
Poker superstar
I'm always chasing Lucy off of Drake's play mat and boppy.

The water was just too cold for the Drakester to swim.

Tummy time is fun.....
Or not so much!
I love this face.
Drake smiled for the first time last Wednesday. This photo is from Thursday- I was trying everything I could to get him to smile again. This is the closest thing to a smile I captured on camera.

It was really nice to get out of the house last week, even if it was to sit in a hotel room. We stayed at a Comfort Inn Suites, which I have to admit was actually quite nice. Unfortunately the heated pool wasn't quite so heated. And the hottub was quite hot. So, poor little Drake didn't get to go swimming:-( It was fun to see where Eric works twice a week, and the staff there was very nice. I think Eric paid them off though- they spent lots of time telling me how fabulous Cary and Raleigh are, and how much we'd love living there. It wasn't quite enough, because I'm still refusing to move:-)

Valentines Day was quite nice! Eric sent me to our neighbors house, who is a massage therapist. I had an awesome massage- what a great present! We had a few friends over that night to grill out, and a poker game broke out. I am happy to announce that I took my husband out, then proceeded to WIN the game. It has been probably a good year or so since I've played, so I was thrilled to win. Eric hates it when I beat him, and I love it!

My SIL's Lindsay and Bridget are both due in about 6-8 weeks, and I'm getting SO excited!!! They are both having girls, and I just can't control buying pink. This saturday is Bridget's shower in Florence, and Eric and I were supposed to drive down on Friday. But it occurred to me a few days ago that I could head down early without Eric, since I certainly have nothing else to do this week. Plus, he's not even going to be here tues/wed. However, it got complicated trying to figure out how to get me, Drake, luggage, baby stuff, and two huge dogs down there in the little Kia. So, my Mom is going to drive up tomorrow so we can do some shopping, and then head back down to Florence. It's a long time to spend in Florence, but it will give me plenty of time to see family and friends. Most of them haven't met Drake, so I'm sure we'll be busy. I don't know if I'll have the chance to blog while I'm there.

So excited!

I'm really excited about quite a few things today. First, I'm going on a picnic this afternoon with Eric and Drake. I heard about another park with a lake, and it's closer to our house than the one we normally go to. I'm hoping the lake doesn't have a border around it, and that we can let the dogs go swimming. I'm excited to get some more sun!

Second, I'm excited to see my friend Emily tonight before she moves. I'm really sad she's moving, but I'm tickled to see her before she heads back to the west coast. Plus, I have a little sursie for her that I think she'll enjoy.

Third, I'm going to Cary with Eric tomorrow. He's invited me numerous times since I've been on maternity leave, and I finally feel like I can handle it. I'm going to his office with him the first half of the day, and then he'll take me to the hotel at lunch. I only agreed to go if the hotel has an indoor heated pool, and jacuzzi. We're taking Drake swimming!!! I can't wait to see if he'll like it. He's started enjoying his baths more lately. He only works a half day Thursday, and when he's done he'll pick us up at the hotel. We should be home Thursday evening.

Fourth, we have Valentines plans I'm actually excited about. We are staying at home, grilling out, and having friends over! I refuse to pay $150 for dinner at a restaurant. We always have more fun staying home with our friends anyway. Drake has a really cute outfit to wear on Valentines day! And a cute bib!

Okay, I think that's it. I just had so many things to be thrilled about, that I wanted to share!

Photos

This is part of our morning routine. After Drake is fed, is wearing a clean diaper, and is sporting a new outfit, he heads to his Boppy newborn lounger. He's the little speck in the middle of the pic, with Linus laying beside him. It gives me 10-15 minutes to pick up and clean the kitchen and den. I can't really do anything until it's clean......

Two of my favorite men out on the deck today. As you can see, Linus had a MAJOR haircut. The high was 70 degrees, and it was heavenly!
My Linus loves his tennis balls.
Drake is pondering the sunlight.
.Part of the view off our back deck. I swear we have the best lot in Charlotte! Right in the middle of the city, yet we back up to a park, so it's all wooded and private in our backyard.

I L-O-V-E it.

Our living room, which used to be modern and chic. Now it has a exersaucer, bouncy seat, bumbo, play mat, and baby einstein mat with toys. Oh yeah, and his little toy box. Do the books, CD player, and all the lullaby cd's count? Our home has been taken over by the seven pounder, haha.
How can you not fall in love with this face? I just want to give him sugarsmacks all day long.
Okay, this is one of my favorite onsies.....it's a little "tux", and it says "All Dressed Up:.
Playing on his baby einstein activity mat.
He likes to be propped up against the boppy, and stare at all the toys.
My Mom came last week for 3 days, after a call of desperation from me. Eric was going out of town for a night to work, and I wanted some back up:-) That's her little Yorkie named Rocky, who used to be my dog. She wouldn't give him back after I finished grad school.
When Drake isn't laying on the boppy newborn lounger, you can rest assured that Princess Lucy is resting there.

Another cute onsie!
My angel sleeping with his paci.....he usually spits it out as he's falling asleep.

What a gorgeous day

Geez the weather was gorgeous here today! I took Drake for a walk in Freedom Park, then we met Daddy (AKA Eric) at Big Daddy's burgers, and our friends Ryan and Michelle. It was so nice to spend the entire day outside. Even when we got home, we spent the whole afternoon on the deck. It's giving me horrible spring fever, and I'm not going to be a happy camper when it turns cold again.

I set up Drake's play area and he just loves it! Well, okay, he just stares around. But I swear the stares mean he loves it! It's fun to take him in there when he's so awake and alert, because he seems so into all the bright colors. Maybe I'll post some photos tomorrow of playtime. This entire week is supposed to be nice weather, so I'm hoping to go for alot of walks. And definitely spend alot of time on our deck. I love it out there!

Playtime!

I went to my friend Kim's this morning for "Babies and Coffee". There were four moms there, and four baby boys, all 4 months and less. It was so much fun to hang out and chat with women who know exactly what I'm going through. And it was super nice to feel comfortable nursing him in a room full of others. Kim has a play area set up for her little guy Constantine, and it has me inspired! It amazed me that babies just 2-3 months older than Drake already love to play. So, I stopped at Once Upon a Child on the way home, which is a local consignment store. They are extremely picky about what they accept, so everything they sale there is in really good condition. I got a bouncy/rocking/vibrating seat for $12!!!

Eric is in Cary today and tonight, so my Mom is coming up to stay and keep me company. My dad is coming on Friday, and then they both will head out Friday night. I'm taking my Mom to the consignment store so we can do some more shopping! We are also going to Babies R Us to get the foam playmats that can be pieced together. I'm going to use those as the base, with some blankets on top. I'll take some before and after pictures!

I'm glad Eric is out of town, because if he was here he'd probably object! He hates when I rearrange things:-) And luckily, he doesn't read this blog, lol. I thought about using the basement, but it's always FREEZING down there. If it's too cold for me, then I know it's too cold for Drake to be down there. Our den is already full. So, that leaves the living room. We don't use that room as it is (well, rarely). I'm gonna have my Mom help me rearrange furniture, and then I'm setting up the play area! I'm really excited. Drake is starting to have some times during the day when he is super alert, so I think it's time. He seemed to really enjoy being on the play mat at Kim's today, and staring at all the toys. Another thing I like about using the living room is that there is no TV, so we won't get sucked into that trap. I'll move my laptop in there to keep myself entertained when we get to the point that Drake entertains himself.

I'm kinda sad that Drake is one month old tomorrow. That means he's no longer a newborn:-(

And I'm sad that he's big enough for a play area. I want him to stay a tiny baby in my arms forever! I feel like I can protect him that way, but I know he has to go out into the big bad world. I guess a play area is just the beginning.....

The Piglet, part II

I started pumping yesterday to get my stash built up, and made a 3 ounce bottle for Eric to use last night. Drake woke up around 5am, and I sent Eric off to get him and feed him. I was SO happy to be able to do that. Well, wouldn't ya know it, Eric woke me up about 45 minutes later. Apparently the piglet (AKA Drake) sucked the 3 oz down, and was still rooting for more. So I had to get up anyway......

I have a five ounce bottle made for tonight:-)

My little piglet!

So today was Drake's 1 month appt, although he was technically only 4 weeks today. Thursday is his one month birthday! Are you ready for this? My chubba wubba is 7 pounds and 2 ounces!!! He's getting on up there, and I just CANNOT wait until he has fat chunky thighs, with rolls! The little bumps on his face, neck, and chest are typical infant acne; not a rash like we were afraid of. And his spitting up is normal, not indicative of pyloric stenosis. His is as healthy as can be! We saw Dr. Dorsey again today, and I'm growing really fond of him! The practice we go to has about 8 pediatricians, and you can rotate through them all before choosing your primary. As soon as you find one you really like, you can then stick with them. Our two month appt is already set with Dr. Satterfield, who we've heard really good things about. After that, I think we'll choose. Dr. Dorsey is very thorough with his physical assessment. He's attentive to detail, and very patient. I never feel rushed with him. I had questions about the two month vaccines today, and he took plenty of time to go over my concerns with me. He gave me all the information I needed, the scientific info as well as his personal opinion. The thing I really liked is that I didn't feel like he was questioning my judgement or looking down on me, since I don't want to follow the AAP schedule to vaccinate. He was all about coming up with a schedule that we are both comfortable with. All in all, it was a fabulous appointment. I also like the nurses that I've met so far. It's such a big practice that we see a different one every visit. But since we are only doing one vaccine per visit, we'll have lots of chances to meet all the nurses. It's going to take a lot of visits since we won't do any combo vaccines.

Wednesday we have "Babies & Coffee" at my friend Kim's house. It's basically a bunch of moms getting together to socialize, with kiddos welcome. I'm excited to meet some other Moms, since none of my friends here have children yet. The topic of discussions is introducing solids, and making your own baby food. I received a baby food maker (steamer/puree) with a cookbook at my baby shower with my coworkers, so I'm ready! My goal is to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months though, before solids.

Thursday is a local breastfeeding support group, at the hospital where I delivered. That should be fun to meet some more Moms, and also get some questions answered. I started pumping this week, so Drake can have one bottle a day from Daddy. Preferably at 3am! Just kidding, I kinda enjoy those quiet middle of the night feedings. It's such a sweet bonding time. I hate the feeding around 5-6 am. Eric can have that one! Eventually I'd like to pump enough to make one bottle per day, and freeze one bag per day. That would give me about 60 bags frozen if I can do that for the next two months before returning to work. We'll see how that goes....

Friday will be my first time away from Drake, for more than 1 hour. I have girls night, which consists of the wine bar and a movie. I'll only be gone from 5:30 til 10pm, but I know it's going to seem like an eternity. Daddy will be on duty, but my parents are also coming to visit that day. They may leave later rather than earlier, so they can help Eric out. Or I should say, my Mom can help Eric out. She's jonesing for some babysitting time!

Well, that's our uber exciting week in a nutshell. Life has changed around casa de kirsch! No more all nighters at the clubs and fuel pizza......